You probably have a myriad of software that you manage on any given day. From stuff on your home computer to stuff on your work computer. You apply fixes or upgrade but for some of the big stuff like DB2 there are some things you should be aware of.

A good technote/flash explaining the DB2 fix packs and special build policy can be found here

One area I like to highlight in the technote is the following:

"Although IBM recommends that customers maintain their DB2 database system environments at the latest fix pack level, you do not have to apply the latest fix pack in order to contact IBM DB2 technical support. All that is required is that your Passport Advantage Software Maintenance agreement is current. However, if it is determined that you have encountered a known problem that is addressed in a released fix pack, the solution will be to apply the appropriate fix pack."

The other for those of you that like to stay on special builds

"Unlike fix packs, special builds receive very limited testing by IBM and are intended to be used for a limited time until the fix can be incorporated into a fix pack and applied to your environment. DB2 special builds are typically supported for a maximum of 90 days after the fix pack containing the special build fix is officially released."

For the whole story read through the entire technote to help you in your daily tasks of managing your Databases fix pack and special builds.